A new story inspired by the classic trading card game. This title launches an all-new trilogy based on key characters and events from the top-selling Magic: The Gathering trading card game. These titles expand on the history of the Magic (r) world and fill in the backstory for the fans. ASSASSINATION HAS ITS PRICE! Scheming, intelligent, and power-hungry, the emperor�s assassin moves always in shadow. He kills whom his master wishes and plans his own rise to power. Against him, one man stands on his honor, determined to end the cycle of death dealt from dark corners. Amid a dark landscape ravaged by war, the two at last confront one another. At stake is the future of the empire.

Honor Tested by War Though his assassins have failed, the godlike Madaran emperor has other ways of crushing rebellion. He sends the brutal imperial army to rein in a defiant island chain, and the empire is once more plunged into violence. The emperor's champion accompanies the army, but his loyalty will be tested by the horrors of war. Can the champion achieve honorable victory, or will he and the rebels alike be crushed by the Emperor's Fist?

This title concludes the trilogy written to greater expand the novel reader's understanding of the The Gathering world. These titles specifically expand on characters from previously released Magic card sets. Evil Triumphant A dragon sits on the throne of Madara, and his regent rules with knives in the dark. The islands bleed, the mainland shakes, and even the champion has forsaken his office. Does no honor remain in the empire? Ask Ayesha, who has turned her hands from breaking artifacts to making forests. Ask Wasitora, whose cat-dragon kits fight the armies of evil. Most of all, ask Tetsuo, who must regain his honor by destroying the emperor he once served.